Am I a Candidate for Surgery?
You are a potential candidate for bariatric surgery if you:
- Have tried and were not successful at losing weight
- Have a BMI of over 40 or a BMI over 35 with obesity related medical problems
- Are 80 to 100 pounds overweight
We offer a comprehensive program so you not only receive surgery but also a lifestyle management program that helps you achieve weight loss, minimize potential complications with surgery, assist with psychological adjustments and promote overall good health. It is highly recommended that you begin a lifestyle management program before surgery and continue afterward.
Choosing Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgeries have increased significantly over the past couple of years as a result of:
- Current research that shows the significant health risks associated with morbid obesity
- The relatively low risk of surgical complications
- The ineffectiveness of current nonsurgical approaches to produce sustained weight loss
Surgery should be viewed first and foremost as a method for alleviating debilitating, chronic disease. At the New Jersey Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, patients are required to demonstrate serious motivation, commitment and understanding of the extensive dietary, exercise and medical guidelines that must be followed for life after weight loss surgery.
If diet, exercise and behavior modifications have not worked for you, perhaps surgery is an option. It is important to understand that diet, exercise and behavior modification will be instrumental in sustaining weight loss after your surgery.
Most of our patients enjoy an improvement in obesity-related health and psychological conditions (such as mobility, self-image and self-esteem) after surgery. Please keep in mind that given the successful outcomes of weight loss surgery, it should not be the overriding motivation for having the procedure.
The Goal Is to Live Better, Healthier and Longer
The decision to have weight loss surgery requires careful consideration and consultation with the bariatric multidisciplinary team. Our highly qualified surgeons will answer your questions clearly and explain the exact details of the procedure, the extent of the recovery period and the reality of the follow-up care that will be required. Routine evaluation for weight loss surgery often requires that you consult with our team of dietitians, exercise physiologists and psychologists.
It is important to remember that there are no ironclad guarantees in any kind of medicine or surgery. However, weight loss surgery can be successful when the patient makes a lifelong commitment to change. There are some challenges that can be unexpected. To help patients achieve their goals and deal with the changes surgery and weight loss can bring, the New Jersey Bariatric and Metabolic Institute provides follow-up that includes support groups, dieticians and other forms of continuing education.
There are several methods available for the surgical treatment of obesity. We specialize in laparoscopic weight loss surgery.
Request an appointment for more information or to discuss bariatric surgery with one of our highly skilled and experienced bariatric surgeons.
